Toronto police board votes not to expand Taser use

The Toronto Police Services Board board voted today against expanding the use of Tasers in the city's police force.

Tasers were a large part of Thursday's meeting, where the police budget is being discussed.

Police Chief Bill Blair had made a request that more money be put towards equipping more front-line officers with Tasers — often seen as a controversial weapon.

"The budget is a process, not an event," Blair said. "And there have been meetings taking place over the last several months and there will be several more months of meetings while the city works through the important process of ensuring that all of the services that the city provides are appropriately budgeted."

Board members voted unanimously against the move with those from the mental-health subcommittee saying officers needed more mental health training instead of more Tasers.

Today's meeting comes only shortly after City Coun. Doug Ford called for the police chief to resign after a police press conference about video evidence involving Mayor Rob Ford.